Do We Really Need A Movie About Obi Wan Kenobi?

In perhaps the least surprising movie news of the year, Disney and Lucasfilm have announced that a standalone Star Wars film about Jedi sage Obi-Wan Kenobi is in the works. While the film is in the earliest stages of production—as in, there’s not even a screenwriter attached—it’s safe to assume the film will follow the same blueprint as the upcoming Han Solo movie by chronicling Obi Wan’s formative years.

Stephen Daldry, who’s best known for directing Britsh Oscar-bait like Billy Elliot and The Hours is set to direct, The Hollywood Reporter reports. That might seem like an odd choice at first—Daldry has never helmed a major effect-heavy blockbuster—but he did direct four episodes of Netflix’s The Crown. If there’s anyone in the Star Wars universe who is befitting of the regality of Britain’s royal family, it’s Kenobi.

As for who might play Luke Skywalker’s beloved mentor, Ewan McGregor has said in the past that he’d be open to reprise the role he made famous in George Lucas’ second trilogy, but it’s unlikely the Star Wars brass takes him up on that offer. We’ve already seen that version of Obi Wan. In fact, we’ve seen many versions of Obi Wan, which raises the question: Why make this movie?

Of all the characters in the Star Wars universe, why give us one we’ve already seen multiple screen versions of? Couldn’t they choose someone like Mace Windu, or better yet, Yoda?

Well if there’s one thing today’s movie landscape has taught it’s that there’s nothing Hollywood loves more than a sure thing. And making a movie centered around one of the most popular characters from perhaps the biggest franchise ever is what we like to call, a sure thing.